Mount Washing Resort

 

Mt Washington Resort

The Omni Hotel resort located in Bretton Woods, NH is one of the last grand hotels built for the wealthy during the gilded age.   Today it offers a wide variety of activities and wonderful food to entertain its guests.  The first floor is very spacious and full of seating, gaming tables and two massive fireplaces.  The exterior takes advantage of the grand view of the mountains by surrounding the hotel with covered porches along with additional seating on a roof top terrace bar over top a new conference center.  The hotel has a long list of activities:  Two golf course, stables, tennis courts, mountain bike trails, Alpine and cross country skiing.  We chilled.

lobby rotunda

1st floor entry/lobby

Carol wearing her latest creation at the terrace bar

Dining

We greatly enjoyed dinner in the Main Dining room and at the more casual but equally delicious Stickney's Restaurant.  Stickney's has outdoor seating with a great view, but we passed on the option as  it was a cool wet day,  Due to staffing, reservations were only available either early or late in the evening.

Main Dining room courtesy of Omni Hotels

Stickney's Restaurant courtesy of Omni Hotels

The Cave

In the basement of the hotel is a former Speak Easy with rock foundation walls.   Today the hotel operates it as a late evening bar.   We had a pleasant time speaking with the people around us seated at the bar.  One couple was from The Berkshires, which is our next destination.  We had a wonderful time learning about each others lives and the many things we should do at our next stop.  

The Cave (courtesy Omni Hotels)

The Slopes

Omni Hotel is home to the largest ski resort in NH.  We rode the Gondola to the top of the slope for the view.  They have a wonderful bar restaurant at the top (not open) with an event center on the second floor.   We walked through the event center as they were setting up.  The glass walls provided a stupendous view of the mountains.  

Hotel with Mt. Washington obscured by clouds in the background

we rode the gondola to the top

Golf

We didn't play, but we did hit some balls at the range.  Carol was pleased that her injured wrist didn't complain much, so we look forward to playing a round soon.  

History

A hotel that is over 100 years old is bound to have some history and this one doesn't disappoint.   We had the privilege one evening to attend a seminar regarding a world altering event that occurred here and saved the hotel from the wrecking ball. Through good fortune and the need for a key vote from a NH Senator, the hotel was selected to host a conference of 44 countries from across the world to decide on Monetary policy in a post war world when the outcome of the war was far from clear.  This is how the World Bank and IMF, International Monetary Fund were created.  A subset of the nations representatives met in the room pictured below to build the framework.  Our speaker shared stories of the time leading up to and including the event.  He told of the drama amongst the key delegates including John Maynard Keynes. He also spoke of the herculean task to reopen a hotel in war time.  The condition of the hotel was such that the Delegates were either disappointed at the facility or thrilled to have food.   

The room where it happened. (borrowed the phrase from the musical Hamilton)

Surronding Area

Rek-Lis

Rek-Lis brewing company is a great local brewery and restaurant.  IPAs are very popular in Maine and Massachusetts.  Unfortunately neither of us are fans.  We did find a couple dark beers and Ales to make an enjoyable flight to go with lunch.  We tried a smoked beer which did taste smoky, but not something we would order again.  I enjoyed their interpretation of a Cuban sandwich.

Covered Bridges

On our rainy drive to Lenox, MA we found two covered bridges in and near Bath NH.  We took the opportunity to drive across the Bath Bridge.  The second pictured connects the Village of Woodsville to Bath is believed to be the oldest in NH.  It was restored in 2004 and only handles pedestrian traffic.  

1832 Bath, NH covered bridge #28

1829  Village of Woodsville to Bath NH covered bridge